American Exceptualism Rudy
Giuliani was espousing his opinion to Fox News that Barack Obama did not
love America and didn’t brag enough about “American Exceptionalism.”

Fur Is Not Chic When my 25-pound
dog stepped in a toothed steel leg hold trap a few ft off the trail, I
learned how “unchic” fur is. I had to carry her out two miles to get to a
vet.

Which Is More Dangerous? Just
a couple of thoughts I had in response to the letters by Gordon Lee
Dean and Jarin Weber in the Feb. 23 issue. Mr. Dean claims that there
have been zero deaths from the measles in the past ten years.

Real Action on Climate In
“Climate Madness” in the Feb. 9 issue, the writer points out that
scientists are all but unanimous and that large numbers of people agree:
global warming poses a threat to future generations.

Real Science Wolfgang
Pauli, the Nobel Prize winning Austrian-born theoretical physicist, was
known not only for his work in postulating the existence of the
neutrino but feared for his razor-edged humor.

Biathlon

Biathlon, By Golly! Hot shots combine skiing and target shooting at Crystal MountainBy Erin CrowellCross country skiing. Its a wonderland excursion, swooshing through the white woods on a freshly groomed trail  breathing with the rhythm of every push and glide, silence enveloping then suddenly pop! pop! pop!Screams, laughter and a paint-plastered target. It may not be the intense, competitive sport we saw in Vancouver this past winter, but the new biathlon course at Crystal Mountain Resort & Spa has all the same elements  just substitute bullets with paintballs and medals with high fives. Happening every Sunday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., participants can strap on a pair of cross country skis or snowshoes and test their marksmanship skills by shooting at a group of targets via paintball marker while walking or skiing along an off-road trail. We dont like to use the word gun, says Janice Davidson, recreation manager at Crystal Mountain, explaining the terminology behind marker.A set of paintball markers are stationed at each target: five circles on a vertically-propped board, set off at different points along the looped trail. One loop takes approximately one hour to complete, says Davidson, who adds that the course is not intended to be a race.

SKI & SHOOTLong before the first organized biathlon competition in Norway in 1776 (then called patrol races), people have been combining skiing and shooting -- since around 3000 B.C., when the technique was used for hunting purposes. Rock paintings depicting hunters with bow and arrow on sliding timber have been found near Roedoey, Norway; and writings describing the technique date back to Roman, Greek and Chinese historical writings. From there, it transformed into a means of warfare  with military patrols popping up throughout the Middle Ages. By the end of the 19th Century, several countries including Germany and Switzerland had soldiers on skis. It wasnt until 1960 when the sport made its first Olympic appearance, which was then a team competition. Instead of the light .22 rifles, athletes shot with a Winchester Model 70s large Army rifle caliber. The targets: cardboard. The sport gained momentum in 1992 when it was broadcast live on television during the winter Olympics and included a category for women. A lot has changed in biathlon, but it still remains a fairly ambiguous sport to the general population  making it a truly unique winter activity.

FUN FOR ALLThis is for anyone who enjoys paintball and wants to shoot at some targets or just enjoy a family friendly activity, says Davidson. You just need to be eight years or older to shoot the marker.Because the course is not timed, participants do not have to feel rushed. A two hour reservation block allots ample time to focus on target accuracy and completion of the course.This summer, Crystal Mountain invested in a paintball course. Davidson says they worked closely with TC Paintball of Traverse City in setting up the course and acquiring the necessary equipment. We wanted to expand upon that, says Davidson. With the success of this summer, we decided to offer (paintball) as a weekly activity. We have the equipment in hand now, and we have everything to facilitate it.The biathlon course at Crystal Mountain combines two sports, each from a Michigan season, into an activity that anyone can try. Its one more addition to a variety of off-hill amenities offered at the resort, which include everything from dog sledding and surrey rides to ice skate lessons and family bonfires. Just come out and do it, says Davidson. Even if we dont have much snow this yearwhich we willyou can always walk the course.